System and method of automatic detection and identification of system components

ABSTRACT

A system and method to automatically detect and identify system components, wherein the system includes a processing device and at least one system component operably coupled to the processing device via a discrete connection. The method including the steps of operating the processing device to detect at least one electrical characteristic of the at least one system component, and operating the processing device to identify a type of the at least one system component based on the at least one electrical characteristic. The method further includes the step of operating the processing device to allow a user to confirm the identified type of the at least one system component.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/894,956 filed Oct. 24, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety into the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The presently disclosed embodiments generally relate to heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, and more particularly, to a system and method of automatic detection and identification of system components.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Generally, HVAC systems are installed by connecting each of the HVAC components to an HVAC thermostat. HVAC thermostats are available for many different types of system configurations (e.g. gas heating with an air conditioner, gas heating with a heat pump, electric heating with an air conditioner, etc.). Typically, an installer configures the HVAC system using the HVAC thermostat through a manual process of determining the type of HVAC system components; then setting up the necessary parameters for operation. This method of manual configuration may become cumbersome depending on the number of HVAC components connected to the system. The process may become expensive for the installer by having to take the time to set up each HVAC component. Moreover, the HVAC system may not operate properly if the HVAC components are set up incorrectly. There is, therefore, a need for a system and method to reduce the time and expense to manually set up HVAC components in an HVAC system.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

In one aspect, a system including a processing device and at least one system component is provided. In one embodiment, the at least one system component is operably coupled to the processing device. In one embodiment, each of the at least one system components is operably coupled to the processing device. In one embodiment, the processing device includes a processor, a memory, a display screen, and at least one connector including at least one terminal. The processing device further includes software stored within the memory, for the execution thereof. In one embodiment, the at least one system component is coupled to the processing device via a discrete wire connection to the at least one terminal on the at least one connector. In one embodiment, the processing device includes a user interface device. In one embodiment, the user interface device includes a thermostat. In one embodiment, each of the at least one system components includes an HVAC component.

In one aspect, a method to automatically detect and identify a system component within a system, wherein the system includes a processing device and at least one system component operably coupled to the processing device is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of operating the processing device to detect at least one electrical characteristic of the at least one system component. In one embodiment, the at least one electrical characteristic includes a group consisting of: resistance, inductance, voltage, current, capacitance, and impedance to name a few non-limiting examples.

The method further includes the step of operating the processing device to identify the at least one system component based on the at least one electrical characteristic. The method further includes the step of operating the processing device to allow a user to confirm the identified at least one system component based on the at least one electrical characteristic. In one embodiment, the user confirms the identified at least one system component by selecting the correct at least one system component displayed on the display screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a component diagram of an embodiment of a system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a component diagram of an embodiment of a system according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of a method for automatic detection and identification of system components according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system, generally referenced at 10. The system 10 includes a processing device 12, and at least one system component 14 operably coupled to the processing device 12.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the processing device 12 includes a processor 16, a memory 18, for example read only memory (ROM) and electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) to name two non-limiting examples, a display screen 20, for example a liquid crystal display (LCD) to name one non-limiting example, and at least one connector 22 including at least one terminal 24. The processing device 12 further includes software stored within the memory 18, for the execution thereof by the processor 16. In one embodiment, the processing device 12 includes a user interface device. In one embodiment, the user interface device includes a thermostat to name one non-limiting example. In one embodiment, each of the at least one system components 14 includes an HVAC component. For example, each of the at least one system components 14 may include a furnace, an air handler, an air conditioner, a heat pump, and a package unit to name a few non-limiting examples.

In one embodiment, each of the at least one system components 14 is operably coupled to the processing device 12 via a discrete wire connection to at least one of the at least one terminal 24 on the at least one connector 22. For example, system component 14A may be a furnace and system component 14B may be an air conditioner. Generally, system component 14B may be discretely wired to system component 14A by connecting at least one wire 26 from similarly designated terminals 28 on connector 30 within the system component 14B to terminals 32 on connector 34 within system component 14A respectively. For example, in wiring an air conditioner to a furnace, an installer may connect a discrete wire 26A from terminal 28 designated as Y1 of connector 30 within the air conditioner 14B to the similarly designated Y1 terminal 32 of connector 34 within the furnace 14A. It will be appreciated that all relevant terminals 32 may be wired in a similar manner.

Moreover, system component 14A may be wired to the processing device 12 by connecting at least one wire 36 from designated terminals 32 on connector 34 within system component 14A to respective similarly designated terminals 24 on connector 22 within the processing device 12. For example, the furnace 14A may be installed by connecting a separate wire 36B from the terminal 32 designated W1 on the furnace 14A to the terminal 24 designated as W1 on the user interface device 12. Additionally, to continue wiring the air conditioner, a wire 36D may be connected from the terminal 32 designated as Y1 on the furnace 14A to the terminal 24 designated Y1 on a user interface device 12. In the alternative, a wire 26A may be connected from the terminal 28 designated as Y1 of connector 30 within the air conditioner 14B and a separate wire 36D may be connected from the terminal 32 designated as Y1 on the furnace 14A to the terminal 24 designated Y1 on the user interface device 12. It will be appreciated that system component 14B may be operably coupled to the processing device 12 without being coupled to the system component 14A. It will also be appreciated that more than one system components 14 may be connected to the processing 12 through the at least one terminal 24 on the at least one connector 22.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method 100 to automatically detect and identify a system component 14 within a system 10, wherein the system 10 includes a processing device 12 and at least one system component 14 discretely wired to the processing device 12, the method 100 including the step 102 of operating the processing device 12 to detect at least one electrical characteristic of the wire(s) coupling each of the at least one system component 14 to the processing device 12. In one embodiment, the at least one electrical characteristic may include resistance, inductance, voltage, current, capacitance, impedance and/or transmitted digital data to name a few non-limiting examples. For example, the furnace designated as component 14A may contain a thermostat load current between approximately 25-75 milliamps detected from the terminal 24 designated as W1 on the connector 22. Similarly, the air conditioner designated as component 14B may contain a thermostat load current between approximately 1.0-2.0 amps detected from the terminal 24 designated as Y1 on connector 22. Techniques for measuring these characteristics are known in the art and are therefore not detailed herein.

The method 100 further includes step 104 of operating the processing device 12 to identify the at least one system component 14 based on the at least one electrical characteristic. For example, the executable software in memory 18 may contain a plurality of parameters used to identify each of the system components 14 based on their respective predetermined electrical characteristics. In one instance, a furnace may be identified by having a thermostat load current value of approximately 51 milliamps to name one non-limiting example. In another instance, an air conditioner may be identified by having a thermostat load current value of approximately 1.4 amps to name one non-limiting example. In another example, a heat pump may include a thermostat load current of approximately 1.8 amps to name one non-limiting example. The processor 16 executes the software to identify each of the at least one system components 14, based on the stored predetermined electrical characteristics. It will be appreciated that each of the at least one system components 14 may include varying electrical characteristics.

The method 100 further includes step 106 of operating the processing device 12 to allow a user to confirm the type of the identified at least one system component 14. In one embodiment, the identified at least one system component 14 is displayed on the display screen 20, and the user is asked to confirm the proper at least one system component 14. For example, after the processor 16 has identified the at least one system components 14 based on their respective electrical characteristics, a message may be shown on the display screen 20 to allow the user to confirm the type of system component 14. It will be appreciated that the user may confirm the type of system component 14 by using buttons on the processing device, or by touching the display screen 20. In the event that electrical characteristics of the system components 14 overlap, each of the system components 14 consistent with the sensed electrical characteristics may be displayed on the display screen 20 to allow the user to select the correct system component 14 connected to the system 10. It will also be appreciated that the user may confirm a system type based on the at least one system components 14 identified. For example, the user may be prompted to confirm a “duel fuel system” after the processing device 12 has identified the at least one system components 14 as a furnace and a heat pump.

The method 100 further includes step 108 of operating the processing device 12 to display a list of possible at least one system components 14 and allow a user to select the type of the at least one system components 14, if the user does not confirm the at least one system component in step 106. For example, if the desired at least one system component 14 is not displayed on the display screen 20, and the user does not confirm the at least one system component 14 from step 106, the processing device 12 may display a list of possible at least one system components 14 on the display screen 20 to allow the user to select the correct system component 14 connected to the system 10.

The method 100 further includes step 110 of operating the processing device 12 to operate the at least one system components 14 within the system 10. In one embodiment, the processing device 12 operates the at least one system components 14 within the system 10 if the user confirms the proper at least one system component 14 on the display screen 20. In another embodiment, the processing device 12 operates the at least one system components 14 within the system 10 if the user does not confirm the proper at least one system component on the display screen 20 and selects the type of the at least one system components 14 from the list of possible at least one system components 14. For example, if the user confirms the type of at least one system components 14 in step 106, or the user selects the type of at least one system components 14 in step 108, the processing device 12 may execute the software stored in memory 18 to operate each of the at least one system components 14 based on their respective inputs and outputs. It will be appreciated that the processing device 12 may be able to detect the at least one electrical characteristics of the at least one system component 14 even if the at least one system components 14 are wired incorrectly. It will also be appreciated that the processing device 12 may operate each of the discretely wired system components 14 even if the at least one system components 14 are wired incorrectly. For example, if an air conditioner 14B is incorrectly connected to a terminal designated W1 for a furnace 14A, the processing device 12 may recognize the at least one electrical characteristics of the air conditioner 12B on the predetermined furnace terminal W1, and alter the operation so that the air conditioner output signals are directed to the terminal designated W1.

It will be appreciated that the processing device 12 may detect and identify each of the discretely wired system components 14 based on their respective electrical characteristics.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An HVAC system comprising: a processing device; and at least one system component; wherein each of the at least one system components are operably coupled to the processing device via a discrete wire connection; wherein the processing device is configured to: (a) detect at least one electrical characteristic of the at least one system component; and (b) identify a type of the at least one system component based at least in part on the at least one electrical characteristic.
 2. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one system components comprises an HVAC component.
 3. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the processing device comprises a user interface device including a display screen.
 4. The HVAC system of claim 3, wherein the user interface device comprises a thermostat.
 5. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical characteristic comprises an electrical characteristic selected from the group consisting of: resistance, inductance, voltage, current, capacitance, and impedance.
 6. The HVAC system of claim 3, wherein the processing device is further configured to: (c) allow a user to confirm the identified type of the at least one system component.
 7. The HVAC system of claim 6, wherein the identified type of at least one system component is displayed on the display screen, and the user is asked to confirm the proper at least one system component on the display screen.
 8. The HVAC system of claim 6, wherein the processing device is further configured to: (d) display a list of possible at least one system components and allow a user to select the identified type of the at least one system components if the user does not confirm the proper at least one system component on the display screen; and (e) operate the processing device to operate the identified type of the at least one system components.
 9. The HVAC system of claim 6, wherein the processing device is further configured to: (d) operate the processing device to operate the identified type of the at least one system components if the user confirms the proper at least one system component on the display screen.
 10. A processing device comprising: a processor; a memory operably coupled to the processor for transfer of data thereto; a display screen operably coupled to the processor for transfer of data therefrom; at least one connector including at least one terminal, the at least one connector configured for connection to at least one HVAC system component, the at least one connector operable coupled to the processor; and executable software stored in the memory; wherein the executable software is configured to: (a) detect at least one electrical characteristic of each of the at least one system components operably coupled to the at least one terminal on the at least one connector; and (b) identify a type of the at least one system component based at least in part on the at least one electrical characteristic.
 11. The processing device of claim 10, wherein each system component comprises an HVAC component.
 12. The processing device of claim 10, wherein the processing device comprises a user interface device.
 13. The processing device of claim 12, wherein the user interface device comprises a thermostat.
 14. The processing device of claim 10, wherein the at least one electrical characteristic comprises an electrical characteristic selected from the group consisting of: resistance, inductance, voltage, current, capacitance, and impedance.
 15. The processing device of claim 12, wherein the executable software is further configured to: (c) allow a user to confirm the identified type of the at least one system component.
 16. The processing device of claim 15, wherein the identified type of the at least one system component is displayed on the display screen, and the user is asked to confirm the proper at least one system component on the display screen.
 17. The processing device of claim 15, wherein the executable software is further configured to: (d) display a list of possible at least one system components and allow a user to select the identified type of the at least one system components if the user does not confirm the proper at least one system component on the display screen; and (e) operate the processing device to operate the identified type of the at least one system components.
 18. The processing device of claim 15, wherein the executable software is further configured to: (d) operate the processing device to operate the identified type of the at least one system components if the user confirms the proper at least one system component on the display screen.
 19. A method to automatically detect and identify system components within a system, wherein the system includes a processing device, and at least one system component operably coupled to the processing device via a discrete wire connection, the method comprising the steps of: (a) operating the processing device to detect at least one electrical characteristic of the at least one system component; and (b) operating the processing device to identify a type of the at least one system component based at least in part on the at least one electrical characteristic.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein each system component comprises an HVAC component.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the processing device comprises a user interface device including a display screen.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the user interface device comprises a thermostat.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one electrical characteristic comprises an electrical characteristic selected from the group consisting of: resistance, inductance, voltage, current, capacitance, and impedance.
 24. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step: (c) operating the processing device to allow a user to confirm the identified type of the at least one system component.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the identified type of the at least one system component is displayed on the display screen, and the user is asked to confirm the proper at least one system component on the display screen.
 26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step: (d) displaying a list of possible at least one system components and allow a user to select the identified type of the at least one system components if the user does not confirm the proper at least one system component on the display screen; and (e) operating the processing device to operate the identified type of the at least one system components.
 27. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step: (d) operating the processing device to operate the identified type of the at least one system components if the user confirms the proper at least one system component on the display screen. 